My parents had Don Camillo in their extensive library (despite being atheists) and I read them avidly too. Thank you for reminding me of them, and for the story of Una and John. One of my great-aunts was briefly engaged to a man but later lived happily for fifty years with her same-gender partner. The two now sleep peacefully together under one granite boulder in the churchyard of their beloved village.
Love those illustrations! Did you ever hear the serialisation on Radio 4 a few years ago? It was really charming. Loved finding out more about the author of The Little World of Don Camillo. Thanks, Sarah!
I hadn’t come across Don Camillo in the UK, despite the radio series, but was introduced to the characters and set up by a French friend and was really taken with them. It hadn’t occurred to me that the books might be still available and I will have to have a hunt. Thank you for the nudge😊
This has reminded me of an episode of "Don Camillo" which I heard on Radio 4 years ago, and loved, but then promptly forgot. Thank you for this reminder and for such a wonderful piece. The illustrations are just a delight too!
Thoroughly enjoyed this, Sarah. I have not read any Don Camillo but they sound like great stories - and Giovanni Guareschi, a fascinating guy! Thank for for making my commute much more interesting this morning!
Thank you for this. I love the Don Camillo stories but knew nothing about their translator. They are extraordinarily gentle books despite the fact that the main characters are regularly attacking each other with benches, throwing dye or forcing cod liver oil on their enemies .
Another great piece. I especially appreciated your insightful and engaging way of connecting Giovanni Guareschi's gentle humour with the historical context and Una Troubridge's translation. You also reflected on how small communities navigate differences for harmony.
Thank you for the mention, Sarah. Your posts are so beautifully written, interesting and informative. It’s an absolute pleasure to recommend your newsletter!
It's a pleasure to recommend your blog! I always learn something new...like today. I have never heard of Don Camillo or Giovanni Guareschi, but now I am completely intrigued. I will definitely keep an eye out for a copy!
The Nazis dismantled Polish statehood in 1939. A POW in what today is Poland was imprisoned, between 1943 and 1945, either in the Nazi-controlled territory that the Nazis named "General Government" or in the part of former Poland that they directly incorporated into the Third Reich.
Yes, that might not be so easy to determine. I'm pretty confident that most sources likely say "Poland" even though at the same time they might even acknowledge country's swift conquest in 1939. That's a larger problem of lazy history-writing.
Thank you Sarah for the kind mention and for this marvellous piece. I had heard of these books but knew nothing about them - as ever I have learned a lot from you.
When I was little I used to check the Don Camillo books out from our tiny library over and over again. But that was long ago, and it never occurred to me look into the writer and story behind them; so all of this is completely new. What a treat to suddenly encounter this full story — thank you!
We had a copy of The Little Word on my parents' bookshelf when I was a child - and I can see it from where I’m typing this. I read it over and over and totally loved it. It’s all about our common humanity and I’m sure has influenced me in ways I can only guess. Thank you SO much for this. Made my day - I thought I was the alone in my knowledge and love of Don Camillo.
My parents had Don Camillo in their extensive library (despite being atheists) and I read them avidly too. Thank you for reminding me of them, and for the story of Una and John. One of my great-aunts was briefly engaged to a man but later lived happily for fifty years with her same-gender partner. The two now sleep peacefully together under one granite boulder in the churchyard of their beloved village.
What an interesting connection. I know Don Camillo well, Radcliffe Hall less well, and Lady Troubridge not at all. Thank you for the introductions!
Love those illustrations! Did you ever hear the serialisation on Radio 4 a few years ago? It was really charming. Loved finding out more about the author of The Little World of Don Camillo. Thanks, Sarah!
I hadn’t come across Don Camillo in the UK, despite the radio series, but was introduced to the characters and set up by a French friend and was really taken with them. It hadn’t occurred to me that the books might be still available and I will have to have a hunt. Thank you for the nudge😊
This has reminded me of an episode of "Don Camillo" which I heard on Radio 4 years ago, and loved, but then promptly forgot. Thank you for this reminder and for such a wonderful piece. The illustrations are just a delight too!
Thoroughly enjoyed this, Sarah. I have not read any Don Camillo but they sound like great stories - and Giovanni Guareschi, a fascinating guy! Thank for for making my commute much more interesting this morning!
Thank you for this. I love the Don Camillo stories but knew nothing about their translator. They are extraordinarily gentle books despite the fact that the main characters are regularly attacking each other with benches, throwing dye or forcing cod liver oil on their enemies .
Another great piece. I especially appreciated your insightful and engaging way of connecting Giovanni Guareschi's gentle humour with the historical context and Una Troubridge's translation. You also reflected on how small communities navigate differences for harmony.
Thank you for the mention, Sarah. Your posts are so beautifully written, interesting and informative. It’s an absolute pleasure to recommend your newsletter!
It's a pleasure to recommend your blog! I always learn something new...like today. I have never heard of Don Camillo or Giovanni Guareschi, but now I am completely intrigued. I will definitely keep an eye out for a copy!
The Nazis dismantled Polish statehood in 1939. A POW in what today is Poland was imprisoned, between 1943 and 1945, either in the Nazi-controlled territory that the Nazis named "General Government" or in the part of former Poland that they directly incorporated into the Third Reich.
Thank you, I'm afraid I don't know exactly where
Yes, that might not be so easy to determine. I'm pretty confident that most sources likely say "Poland" even though at the same time they might even acknowledge country's swift conquest in 1939. That's a larger problem of lazy history-writing.
*missing "the" before "country." Typing on the phone is not my strong suit.
Thank you Sarah for the kind mention and for this marvellous piece. I had heard of these books but knew nothing about them - as ever I have learned a lot from you.
When I was little I used to check the Don Camillo books out from our tiny library over and over again. But that was long ago, and it never occurred to me look into the writer and story behind them; so all of this is completely new. What a treat to suddenly encounter this full story — thank you!
We had a copy of The Little Word on my parents' bookshelf when I was a child - and I can see it from where I’m typing this. I read it over and over and totally loved it. It’s all about our common humanity and I’m sure has influenced me in ways I can only guess. Thank you SO much for this. Made my day - I thought I was the alone in my knowledge and love of Don Camillo.
I'm so pleased to find other fans! I did wonder if I was the only one!